Singapore gears up for Grand Prix under a cloud of haze

Singapore's Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend commenced on a day of unhealthy air quality, with organizers and authorities ready to activate contingency measures to ensure the safety of spectators and the smooth running of the event. On Friday, the air quality soared to unhealthy levels across the city-state, prompting the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to collaborate with race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd (SGP) and the government's interagency Haze Task Force to keep a close eye on the situation throughout the October 9 to 11 event.

The STB said that depending on the intensity of the haze, various contingency plans would be put in place to guarantee the race's and entertainment experience's seamless execution. The contingency plan lays out measures for differing Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) and PM2.5 levels, ranging from informing attendees of the haze situation to providing medical assistance and N95 masks on-site if necessary.

According to STB, if the haze impairs visibility, public health, or operational aspects, the pertinent agencies will team up with SGP to evaluate the scenario and make any collective decisions regarding the event. Despite the worsening air quality, SGP executive director Adam Firth affirmed that there were presently no plans to alter entertainment activities at the Singapore Grand Prix 2026.

The organization will persist in closely observing all weather conditions, including haze, as part of routine event planning and operations. Should any changes arise, they will be communicated through official channels in a timely manner. As of 6pm, the National Environment Agency (NEA) reported that the 24-hour PSI had reached 192 in the central region, marking the day as unhealthy, with readings between 101 to 200.

In contrast, the PSI levels in the western, southern, eastern, and northern parts of the city stood at 187, 167, 166, and 135, respectively. The NEA's daily health advisories use PSI levels, categorizing readings of 101 to 200 as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy, and above 300 as hazardous.